Regularguy

For the first time a class actually attemps to truly harmonize all the pilots together at the same time and here comes a complainer.

I guess some can't ever hold a tune.

Guppy

Greg Bockelman

Does anyone think that the fuel prices are anything other than a momentary blip? Chances are that fuel prices WILL go back up once the dudes in the oil producing countries quit bickering among themselves.

I agree that the OET program is preaching to the choir, so to say, but if there is anything that we can safely do to help the bottom line, don't you think we should do it?

Aren't our careers worth it?

syd111

Sorry did not see it that way at all. Thought it was the worst class I have seen here. jmo

syd111

Yes our careers are worth it. What in this class did you learn that will help that happen?

Captain Bligh

Wow. I must have missed the pilot harmony module. Wasn't the content directed at the pilot/dispatcher relationship?


I for one think the "momentary blip" may be sustained for a lot longer than many of the analysts do. Key reasons? 1) kids don't "cruise" anymore like they did in the 70's. If they do, it's in a hybrid. 2) OPEC itself is fracked and will take far longer to heal than it will take for demand growth to catch back up with over production. 3) A broken world economy can't afford much energy anyhow. 4) A growing subset that has themselves convinced that energy consumption in itself, is immoral.

So? I'm still long ERY (Exchange Traded Fund). Time will tell.

To your second point? I too would like to see every rural dirt road in my county paved with curbs and sidewalks too. Like my critique however, there is a point where the "improvement" costs so outweigh the potential benefit, that it becomes economically unsustainable. Can errant overly expensive training costs sink the airline? Not likely unless the waste is indicative of far larger problems.

Cheers.

ron kent

It doesn't matter what we do to save a few hundred lbs of fuel each flight. I would estimate that I burn an extra 500-700 lbs each flight waiting to get parked because the ramp is under manned...management solution? Lay off more rampers.

Greg Bockelman

Look, I understand the frustration when you bust your ass to save a couple of hundred pounds of fuel enroute to see it flushed down the drain by rampers that can't get the plane marshaled to the gate in a timely fashion. But you know what? You still blocked with the fuel you saved.

I can't speak for you or anyone other than myself, but any tool I can aquire to make me operate my flight more efficiently is welcome. I did learn a little more how ACF works and how to use it. Among a few other things.

Not directed specifically at you, Ron, but if you go into OET with an open mind, you might get something out of it. if you go into it close minded, it is a waste of 5 hours and whatever travel time it took you to get there.

Regularguy

Ok once you all get through your chest thumping the class did these thing for all the UAL pilots.

Standardized fuel policy across all fleets.
Standardized apu use on narrow bodies, wide bodies, especially 747, have their special difficulties.
Standardized recommendation for flight crew flight planning.
Standardized out and in policy.
Standardized CI policy
Standardized ACF use.
Explanation of what others are expected to do, ie ramp and local control.
First real joint class of former CAL and UAL pilots.
ALPA approved, ok reviewed.

Some of you are just bitter you didn't get picked for the cushy special assignment of leading this class, or the handing out of the new iPads.



Of course many of us are pilots because we could never hold a tune or play well with others

UAL T38 Phlyer

I'm not convinced the price is market-driven. If it were, wouldn't OPEC turn off the spigots?

I think this was a US-led request to kill the economies of our two biggest problems right now: Russia, and ISIS/Da'esh (they hate that name, so I use it).

Say the US asks them to flood the market. OK, what's in it for OPEC?

1. If Da'esh crushed, OPEC fat cats are less likely to have the same thing (Islamist insurgecy) in THEIR countries.

2. Huge surge in US fracking industry has all but stopped, since no longer economically viable. Increased US output was going to put a major dent in OPEC's wallet.

3. Americans, thinking gas will be cheap, buy big cars, start new businesses, etc.

4. Russia backs out of the Ukraine, ISIS crumbles. OPEC Response: Gas prices rapidly escalate, OPEC makes more money than they lost because of increased demand from growth in national economies and reduced conservation.

5. Fracking industry loses 3-5 years of headway as field workers moved on to other jobs. Corporate expertise is lost; less efficient initially while training newcomers.

That's how I see it. I don't think the low prices will make it past September.

Dave Fitzgerald

Sorry to inform you RegularGuy, but all of these have been standard policy for quite a while. Nothing new in OET class. Now, getting people to actually know that we have these policies, that's where the meat of this goes.

Again, preaching to the choir. I've said this before, I'm sure I'll say it again, I'm so over being a happy co-worker, when management gets serious about running a quality airline and a good product for our customers, so will I.

Dragging out contract negotiations for any employee group, and constant adversarial relationships is not the way to a happy co-workers heart. Also, over the holidays, calling co-workers about sick calls from the CP office, many legit SL, also helps. (Beware of SFO CP office.)

BTW, as an aside to California residents as of Jan 1, we can now use up to half our sick bank for care of family members. Just say California sick. UAL lost this law suit too.